Western Albemarle’s Claire Park just wanted to finish a match, and who can blame her.
After posting DNF after DNF of late after the Warriors closed out victories quickly during Jefferson District and Region II tournament play, Park wanted a chance to finish a match and she got that opportunity Tuesday afternoon to close out a 5-1 victory over Eastern View that vaulted the Warriors back to the Group AA final four in Blacksburg.
“I honestly didn’t think we would get back here, because I thought last year was the best it could get,” Park said. “I’ve honestly been a little surprised, but it’s a good surprise.”
Park won 6-4, 6-3 and had to gut out the day’s longest match against Glenna Straw of Eastern View. Straw put together her own gritty effort in the face of an injured ankle that required attention during the match and slowed the pace of play. The stoppages didn’t impact Park at all.
“I do a lot better when I get to rest, I can take a second to just breathe and refocus myself,” Park said. “I can make sure I have a gameplan.”
While Park’s win closed out the match, Western’s No. 1 Emily Kochard set the tone, dominating her match with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over the Cyclones’ Anna Kate Tyler.
“It’s always very competitive, it was really fun,” Kochard said. “We were definitely very motivated going into this.”
Maddy Ix got off the court shortly thereafter, rolling 6-2, 6—3 at No. 2 against Eastern View’s Rose Bennett. Stephanie Barton’s win at No. 6 posted next and eventually Fran Clifton closed out a win at No. 5, leaving all eyes on Park’s match that was dominated by long rallies.
“I play a lot of people that play exactly like me,” Park said. “And so it just goes back and forth 50 times. Today I swung through my strokes a lot more.”
With the victory, the Warriors advance to the Group AA semifinals will face E.C. Glass, who picked up a 5-2 win over Abingdon Tuesday.
Western Albemarle 5, Eastern View 1
Group AA quarterfinals
Singles
1. Emily Kochard (WAHS) def. Anna Kate Tyler (EVHS), 6-1, 6-0
2. Maddy Ix (WAHS) def. Rose Bennett (EVHS), 6-2, 6-3
3. Sierra Mills (EVHS) def. Lauren Kearns (WAHS), 7-5, 6-3
4. Claire Park (WAHS) vs. Glenna Straw (EVHS), 6-4, 6-3
5. Fran Clifton (WAHS) def. Aaliyah Aranjuez (EVHS), 7-5, 6-3
6. Stephanie Barton (WAHS) def. Amber Boutchyard (EVHS), 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
1. Kochard & Ix (WAHS), were leading Tyler & Bennett (EVHS), 5-1, DNF
